TAKE PRECAUTIONS FOR MOTION SICKNESS

What does the traveler about to set out on a trip by land, air or sea have in common with a codfish or an astronaut?

The answer, according to researchers, is motion sickness.

As a matter of fact -- in addition to codfish -- horses, monkeys, sheep, dogs and some birds have been known to show symptoms of the ailment, and scientists say other animals probably are susceptible.

Motion sickness can be a vacationer's nightmare. After shelling out thousands of dollars for a leisurely dream cruise, for example, the hapless traveler may spend much of the trip hanging over the ship's railing.

An estimated 21 million Americans suffer from some form of the malady, with up to 9 million believed to be frequent victims. Researchers say women are more prone to the sickness than men, but infants under 2 and adults over 50 seem to suffer least.

The only individuals who appear to be immune are those with defective inner ears. There is no known instance of a deaf person having motion sickness.

NASA spends $5 million a year to research the causes and cures for motion sickness, yet the space program has not yet found a solution to the problem.

Scientists say there is some indication that the queasies caused by weightlessness are somewhat different from those induced by regular travel.

Sea voyages are responsible for more cases of the illness than any other mode of transportation, with an estimated 90 percent of inexperienced passengers becoming sick on a voyage.

Some health care professionals believe the antihistamines for motion sickness are most effective in preventing the problem before it starts rather than waiting to treat the symptoms after they appear.

"Pretreatment one-to-two hours before travel is recommended," says Dr. C.V. Bainbridge, associate medical director of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. "And some evidence suggests that pretreating the day before is even better."

In addition to prescription or over-the-counter drugs available for treatment, other preventive measures include:

-- Before leaving on your journey, get a good night's sleep.

-- Avoid over-abundant portions of food or taking alcoholic beverages -- and any foods that could induce vomiting, including heavy sauces and greasy dishes.